Are Liverpool on course to make the same mistake?

IT is evident that Liverpool have somewhat learnt from their mistakes of previous transfer windows as they have wasted no time in finalising several transfers already this summer.

The Reds have moved to secure the signatures of quartet Kolo Toure, Iago Aspas, Luis Alberto and Simon Mignolet before the transfer window has officially opened. Also, the name Henrikh Mkhitaryan continues to be linked with a big money move to Liverpool, however, nothing has yet to materialise on that front despite the premature excitement of many of the fans.

On the surface, it all looks splendid. Liverpool are signing players early and are doing so well within budget. However, one lingering concern has me wondering if this summer’s transfer window could yet have some similarities to last summer’s window.

Heading into the summer months of 2012, Liverpool fans and management knew that the team needed some forward reinforcements. The club had only Luis Suarez as an out and out striker with Andy Carroll totally out of favour with manager Brendan Rodgers. Fears were somewhat allayed when Rodgers snapped up promising young striker Fabio Borini from Roma early on and it looked as though the manager would go on to have at least three or four strikers to choose from once all business was done.

Nevertheless, when the window slammed shut, and after an unsuccessful final day push for both Clint Dempsey and future Liverpool forward Daniel Sturridge, the Reds were left with just two strikers to compete with right through until January. The club can ill afford to replicate such a conclusion at the other end of the field.

Ask any Liverpool fan the position they believe is in most need of strengthening over the summer and the general consensus will be defence. With Jamie Carragher retiring, the out of form Martin Skrtel being touted for a potential sale and young Sebastien Coates seemingly unable to cut it in English football, there is huge room for manoeuvre in the heart of defence.
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So far, Rodgers has moved to secure the signing of experienced Kolo Toure on a free transfer but that will evidently not be enough to tighten a defence that leaked too many goals last campaign. There has been four signings come through the doors of Melwood so far, but it is the lack of movement in the defence that will worry most Liverpool supporters.

Names such as Kyriakos Papdopoulos, Tiago Ilori and Toby Alderweireld have been strongly linked to Liverpool however, as of yet, the club have struggled to negotiate a deal for any of the three. The club, and specifically Ian Ayre, may be taking the approach that the closer the window gets to shutting the lower the asking price from their parent clubs will go. That approach did not work last time and it is a risk that Ayre cannot afford to take.

For me, it is not only centre-back that needs addressing. Liverpool are crying out for quality at left-back to compete with Jose Enrique, whose form has dipped alarmingly over the past few seasons. Not bringing in adequate defensive reinforcements will leave the Reds short until January – something that cost the team a positive start last season and gave us too much to do from January to recover and challenge for a top four place.

Liverpool have been given a generous start to the season in terms of fixtures and the squad has to be in place to hit the ground running, without a full squad the team will drop unnecessary points and once again frustrate their fans who have suffered enough in the past decade. Ian Ayre knows what he has to do and the faith of the Liverpool followers is in his hands as he, alongside the coaching staff, looks to piece together a squad capable of returning to the top four of English football.
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